# Khalid — The Book of Khalid character guide

> Khalid in The Book of Khalid by Ameen Rihani.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Abu Khalid, Khalid the Baalbekian, Hamlet

**First appearance:** 0001-book-the-first-in-the-exchange

## Who they are

A restless Baalbek dreamer who peddles books in New York and later retreats to the ruins of his homeland, chasing an idea too large for any single faith or flag.

## Relationships

### [Shakib](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/shakib)

_friendship_

Childhood friends and fellow immigrants, sharing a deep bond of adventure and survival in New York.

### [Najma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/najma)

_romantic_

Khalid and Najma share a deep romantic connection, though their relationship is complicated by distance and duty.

### [Im Hanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/im_hanna)

_family_

Im Hanna is Khalid's mother, a source of emotional grounding and traditional values in his life.

### [The Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/the_priest)

_rivalry_

Khalid and the Priest clash over religious and philosophical views, with the Priest seeing Khalid as a heretic.

### [Najib](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/najib)

_friendship_

Najib is a fellow immigrant and friend who shares Khalid's struggles and aspirations in the new world.

### [Prophet Jeremiah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/prophet_jeremiah)

_psychological_

Khalid is obsessed with the Prophet Jeremiah, seeing him as a spiritual guide and mirror of his own prophetic ambitions.

### [Sheikh Taleb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/sheikh_taleb)

_professional_

Sheikh Taleb is Khalid's religious mentor and employer, guiding his early education but later becoming a source of conflict.

### [Father Farouche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/father_farouche)

_professional_

Father Farouche is a missionary who employs Khalid in his bookstore, serving as a bridge between cultures.

### [Boss O'Graft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/boss_ograft)

_professional_

Boss O'Graft is Khalid's exploitative employer at the factory, representing the harsh labor conditions of immigrants.

### [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/the_doctor)

_professional_

The Doctor treats Khalid's physical ailments and becomes a confidant about his mental and spiritual struggles.

### [Ahmed Bey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/ahmed_bey)

_rivalry_

Ahmed Bey is a political rival who opposes Khalid's reformist ideas and seeks to undermine his influence.

### [Monsieur Pascal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/monsieur_pascal)

_professional_

Khalid buys books from Monsieur Pascal and discusses philosophy, finding a rare intellectual ally.

## In the story

### [Al-Fatihah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/al-fatihah)

The author of the manuscript, who describes himself as a philosopher, poet, and criminal, and frames his book as a spiritual travelogue.

### [Book the First: In the Exchange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/book-the-first-in-the-exchange)

Arrives in New York with Shakib, feeling the profound alienation and humiliation of the immigrant experience. He is introspective and resistant to the commercialism he encounters.

### [To Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/to-man)

Speaker of the chapter, addressing humanity with a message of love and faith.

### [I: Probing the Trivial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/i-probing-the-trivial)

The subject of the manuscript; his existence is questioned and then confirmed through various sources.

### [The City of Baal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/ii-the-city-of-baal)

His boyhood in Baalbek is detailed, including his rebellion against his father and uncle, his life as a muleteer, and his decision to emigrate to America after selling his mare.

### [III: Via Dolorosa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iii-via-dolorosa)

Shows a new pensive and emotional side, dreaming of kingship and feeling nostalgia for Baalbek.

### [On the Wharf of Enchantment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iv-on-the-wharf-of-enchantment)

Remains impassive at the wonders of New York, dreaming of Baalbek; reflects on the soul's condition in the New World; works as a peddler but yearns for home.

### [The Cellar of the Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/v-the-cellar-of-the-soul)

Experiences a spiritual and intellectual awakening, deciding to pursue self-education and move beyond peddling. His poetic dream reveals a deep longing for his homeland.

### [VI: The Summer Afternoon of a Sham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vi-the-summer-afternoon-of-a-sham)

Engages in intellectual rambles, attends atheist lectures, and is mentored by Secondhand Jerry. He becomes disillusioned with atheism after being turned away from a lecture, leading to a crisis of honesty.

### [In the Twilight of an Idea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vii-in-the-twilight-of-an-idea)

Burns his peddling box as a symbolic rejection of commercial deception, takes a clerkship but is fired, and returns to his cellar to play music.

### [VIII: With the Houris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/viii-with-the-houris)

Leaves the Spiritual Household, becomes involved with the Enchantress, and returns to the Medium.

### [Book the Second: In the Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/book-the-second-in-the-temple)

Khalid joins the Spiritual Household and becomes a political canvasser, marking a shift from his earlier struggles.

### [To Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/to-nature)

Khalid is the speaker, offering a fervent prayer of surrender to Nature.

### [The Dowry of Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/i-the-dowry-of-democracy)

Returns from Bohemia and becomes a political canvasser for Tammany Hall, an experience that ends in disillusionment.

### [II: Subtranscendental](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/ii-subtranscendental)

Experiences a spiritual crisis in prison, rejecting Shakib's help. He starts a pushcart business, moves to the Bronx, and burns his books and medicine, choosing self-reliance.

### [III: The False Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iii-the-false-dawn)

Suffering from nostalgia and spiritual unrest, he decides to return to Syria, driven by love for Najma and a sense of national mission.

### [IV: The Last Star](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iv-the-last-star)

Sits on his trunk, dreaming of leaving the 'pandemonium of Civilisation'; carries only a cigarette case, a locket, and a third-class passage; delivers a soliloquy on the 'last star' and the need for individual will.

### [Priesto-Parental](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/v-priesto-parental)

Returns to Baalbek, clashes with his father and the Jesuit priest, and is banished from home. He remains determined to understand his destiny regarding Najma.

### [Flounces and Ruffles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vi-flounces-and-ruffles)

Deep in courtship with Najma, he passionately articulates his vision for their future life in the desert, seeking a cure for his illness and a life of pure joy. He also delivers a philosophical monologue on the symbolism of flounces and ruffles.

### [The Howdaj of Falsehood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vii-the-howdaj-of-falsehood)

Confronts the priest over the Church's marriage ban, is excommunicated, burns the Patriarchal Bull, and is imprisoned in Damascus where he remains silent.

### [The Kaaba of Solitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/viii-the-kaaba-of-solitude)

Disappears from Baalbek after the fatal episode; his writings on nature and solitude form the core of this chapter.

### [IX: Signs of the Hermit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/ix-signs-of-the-hermit)

Khalid's spiritual retreat is sought; a pine tree carved with his name and a copy of Thoreau's 'Week' are found, indicating his presence in the mountains.

### [X: The Vineyard in the Kaaba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/x-the-vineyard-in-the-kaaba)

The narrator, who reflects on the hermit's life and contrasts it with the world's corruption.

### [Book the Third: In Kulmakan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/book-the-third-in-kulmakan)

Returns to Kulmakan, disillusioned with America and troubled by the changes in his village.

### [To God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/to-god)

The author of this spiritual meditation, expressing his disillusionment with organized religion and his hope for a unified understanding of the divine.

### [The Disentanglement of the Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/i-the-disentanglement-of-the-me)

Engages in philosophical discourse with the Hermit, reflecting on the self, reality, and his past as an acolyte.

### [II: The Voice of the Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/ii-the-voice-of-the-dawn)

In a state of physical and mental health, he communes with nature and articulates his philosophy of balance between the spiritual and material worlds.

### [III: The Self Ecstatic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iii-the-self-ecstatic)

Delivers a rhapsodic monologue on uniting East and West, and expounds on the harmony of spiritual and natural life.

### [On the Open Highway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iv-on-the-open-highway)

Leaves his hermitage and travels through the Lebanese countryside, reflecting on nature, poverty, and his own spiritual journey.

### [V: Union and Progress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/v-union-and-progress)

Resurfaces in Beirut, engaging in political lecturing and writing letters to Shakib; meets Mrs. Gotfry and is drawn to her despite her physical infirmities.

### [VI: Revolutions Within and Without](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vi-revolutions-within-and-without)

Engages in deep philosophical and spiritual discussions with Mrs. Gotfry, and delivers a revolutionary speech at the Umayyad Mosque.

### [A Dream of Empire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vii-a-dream-of-empire)

Consumed by a new, fathomless love and the dream of an Arab empire, he is unable to sleep or work, instead dreaming of a great renaissance.

### [VIII: Adumbrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/viii-adumbrations)

Defies Ahmed Bey's instructions, delivers his own speech, is attacked and wounded, and is forced to flee Damascus.

### [The Stoning and Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/ix-the-stoning-and-flight)

Wounded and recovering, plans to leave Syria, faces stoning, and flees with Mrs. Gotfry and Najma.

### [X: The Desert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/x-the-desert)

Finds happiness in the desert, teaching Najib and enjoying the simple life, while reflecting on deeper philosophical questions.

### [Al-Khatimah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/al-khatimah)

Parting with Mrs. Gotfry, caring for Najib during his illness, grieving over his death and Najma's decline, and finally disappearing into the desert.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/khalid
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters